Evaluation of Antimicrobial Effects of Chromolaena Odorata Extracts on Microbial Isolates

Abstract

As science and technology advanced, antimicrobial agents were discovered, bringing with them the burden of antimicrobial resistance. This led to the hunt for effective techniques to combat microbial diseases. Chromolaena odorata is often used for traditional wound healing since it helps to stop bleeding quickly. Chromolaena odorata of the Asteraceae family is one of the world's most invasive weeds. It is also known as Siam weed, devil weed, French weed, communist weed, hagonoy, co chon triffid weed, and Awolowo, Akintola, and Obiarakara weed. Chromolaena odorata is often used for traditional wound healing since it helps to stop bleeding quickly. Several studies have shown that Siam weed extract promotes hemostasis and wound healing. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the bioactive components and antibacterial efficacy of different extracts of Chromolaena odorata on various microbiological isolates. Fresh leaves were collected, identified, air-dried, and ground. Cold maceration and soxhlet extraction were carried out using ethanol and n-hexane as extractive solvents, respectively. The chemical composition was identified using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique, and the antibacterial action was tested using established protocols. The antimicrobial test revealed that the aqueous extract had a bacteriostatic effect, but the ethanol extract had a bactericidal effect against microbiological isolates at a concentration of 200mg/mL. The most prevalent bioactive chemicals discovered in both extracts are oleic acid, octadecanoic acid, and hexadecanoic acid. The extracts possessed antibacterial capabilities and included certain bioactive components, which might contribute to their overall efficacy, according to this research.